1. The Fall of Rome

2. For centuries after the rule of its first emperor, begun in 27 B.C., the Roman Empire was the most powerful state in the ancient world. Rome continued to expand to include 3 continents: Asia, Europe, and Africa.

3. Roman Empire Expansion

5. Many factors cause the decline of Rome By the second century, the Roman Empire seemed indestructible. Yet, by the end of the fifth century it had collapsed. Rome did not fall instantly. Instead the empire went through a long slow decline. Many conditions caused the fall of Rome including internal (inside) and external (outside) forces.

6. The Fall of Rome Internal Forces 3 Main Categories: -Political -Economic -Social External Forces - Invaders, also called barbarians

7. Internal Forces

8. Political Corruption in government Plebeians had no rights Empire too large to control Emperors plotted against each other for control instead of uniting Civil wars Government lost loyalty as patricians moved to villas and stopped caring about government Army deteriorates

9. Economic Slavery Unemployment Welfare system Taxation Forced labor Decrease in trade

10. Social Christianity Loss of citizen’s confidence and loyalty Population declines Hierarchical classes Too many cultures Bread and circuses Plague

11. Spread of Christianity

12. External Forces

13. External Forces Invaders, also called barbarians, began to invade in the 3 rd century. Germanic tribes from northern Europe crossed the Roman frontier and invaded Greece, Italy, Spain, and coastal areas of Asia Minor. The warmer climate, rich farmlands, and wealth of the Roman lands attracted the Germanic tribes. By the 5th century, the Roman Empire was overrun by barbarians.

14. Barbarian Invaders Map

15. Important People Diocletian Attila the Hun Odoacer Constantine

16. Diocletian

18. Odoacer

19. Attila the Hun

20. Constantine

21. The Fall of Rome Once the Roman army could no longer defend its borders, Germanic tribes began pouring into Europe. One Roman province fell after another. In 476 A.D., the Western Roman emperor was overthrown. Odoacer was then proclaimed king of Italy. The ancient world was drawing to a close.

22. THE END

23. Works Cited Slide 3- http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~atlas/europe/interactive/map26.html Slide 4 map of roman empire atlas book Slide 8- www.roman-empire.net/graphics/senate.gif Slide 9- http://myron.sjsu.edu/romeweb/economy/economy.htm Slide 10- www.roman-empire.net/graphics/gladiator.gif Slide 11- http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~atlas/europe/interactive/map31.htmlhttp://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~atlas/europe/interactive/map31.html Slide 12- www.roman-empire.net/graphics/small-cannae.gif Slide 14- http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~atlas/europe/interactive/map21.htmlhttp://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~atlas/europe/interactive/map21.html Slide16- http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/6946/images/diocletian3.jpg Slide 17- http://www.doser.org/his9/ancient_rome_pics/4.jpg- Slide 18- odoacer Slide 19- http://encarta.msn.com/find/MediaMax.asp?pg=3&ti=00566000&idx=461515441 attila 3 of them Slide 20- http://www.roman-emperors.org/constai.jpghttp://www.roman-emperors.org/constai.jpg